2021 WINNERS
Senior-Level Stars
Senior VP, Format Development and Real Estate
Walmart Canada
Co-Founder & President
LeGrand
Chief Financial Officer
Longo’s
Senior VP, Human Resources
Kruger Products
Head of Sustainability
Kraft Heinz Canada
VP, Corporate Brands
Metro
VP, Centre of Store Replenishment & Space Planning
Loblaw Cos. Ltd.
President
P&G Canada
SVP, Ecommerce
Sobeys
VP, Store and Colleague Solutions
Loblaw Technology, Loblaw Companies Ltd.
General manager/CEO
Bel Cheese Canada
VP, Human Resources
Lactalis Canada Inc.
VP, Marketing & Member Experiences
Chair, Calgary Co-op Foundation
Calgary Co-op
Principal
Breakthrough Communications Inc.
"A CEO in the CPG industry once referred to me as an integrator: I can see the big picture inside out and move throughout the entire enterprise. Whether it’s executive coaching, internal/engagement-focused communications, or marketing communications, if you can see the big picture and pull the right levers, that’s when the magic happens."
VP, North American Procurement
Bimbo Canada
VP, Brand & Innovation
Kraft Heinz Canada
"I think it’s a privilege to be able to drive creativity and growth on some of the most iconic brands in Canada, but it’s an even bigger win when you can do it surrounded by really smart, collaborative teammates who are full of passion and also share your desire to make big things happen. I’m so passionate about the work and seeing the results, but the people I work with make the ride a lot more fun."
President, Ice Cream division
Nestlé Canada Inc.
VP Category – Fresh Products
Agropur Cooperative
"I like to help people reach their highest potential and to see them grow. I had the chance to have excellent coaches along my professional life and my goal is to give that back to others. My role is to lead multifunctional teams, achieving targets and strengthening our business. My team is the most dedicated one and I really enjoy spending time with them every day."
VP, Replenishment
Sobeys
VP, Information Technology and Digital
Farm Boy
"I am grateful that I have been able to find a way to marry my love for technology with my love for food. I work with a great group of people and I am proud when we deliver new digital experiences to our customers or provide our operational teams with better tools to succeed in their roles. We know that when our teams are working at their best, our customers benefit—and that’s what matters most to me."
Rising Stars
Director of Sales – Western Canada
A. Lassonde Inc.
Senior Director, Store Solutions Delivery
Loblaw Technology, Loblaw Companies Ltd.
"There are way too many factors that make me love my job, but at the end of the day it’s the fact that I get to work with people and solutions that matter to me. The innovative technology solutions that I get to lead with my team are able to help Canadians who shop in our stores live life well. Developing a project from concept to implementation, then watching it change lives, is the best feeling in the world."
Trade Marketing Manager
Lactalis Canada
"I am so proud of the moments where my mentoring played a part in driving success for my teammates. We all have something to learn from one another, and elevating those around us only makes for a stronger organization and ultimately greater success. I try my best to learn from others but also invest the time to teach from my own strengths. It simply feels good to know when I was able to play a role in any team member’s development."
Managing Director, Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility
Save-On-Foods
"There are three pieces of advice that have guided me throughout my career: 1) You should be excited to get up and go to work every day. If you aren’t, you’re in the wrong job; 2) Go big or go home; and 3) Be part of the solution."
Local Development Manager, Ontario Field Merchandising
Sobeys
"The best part of my job is the ability to bring ideas to life, support and mentor like-minded people and local entrepreneurs, all while making a positive impact on our economy. My job/career allows me to help people succeed, provide for their families, supports our economy and brings local to the forefront."
North American Customer Service Manager
McCormick & Company
"My best quality is probably problem solving. I enjoy figuring out why issues are happening, identifying root causes and streamlining processes. I think that’s why I’ve found success in supply chain and project management roles—I have a continuous improvement mindset, and problem-solving feeds right into that.'
Director, Supply Chain Canada Commercial
Ferrero Canada Limited
"My father owned and operated a deli and meat shop. I grew up in the business and I saw how he worked and how he managed all aspects of the business. From a very young age, I understood the importance of freshness, logistics and income generation. I was always passionate about the industry and being a part of it, and I am extremely grateful for the way my career has evolved."
Director of Category Sales Development, Retail Sales
Maple Leaf Foods
"I am incredibly proud of how my team stepped up to fill an unprecedented business need shortly after COVID hit. Everyone was, and still is, going through so many new challenges, both personal and professional, but with efficiency, flexibility and great collaboration across departments and teams, we established a way to navigate the unchartered waters to get our sales team what they needed to support our customers."
Director of eCommerce and Emerging Channels
Unilever Canada
"I think my best quality is that I always try to consider other peoples’ views. I try to approach challenges and decisions with empathy for individuals first, and be flexible in my own understanding and preconceived notion of problems that I may face. This quality has led to a high level of trust with the teams and cross-functional partners that I work with."
Corporate director, Marketing
Kruger Products
"I have always enjoyed working with brands and products that fulfil an everyday need or solve an everyday problem for consumers, and I’m proud to work in this industry. CPG and grocery are key parts of our lives. When you work in CPG, no shopping experience is ever just “shopping,” and even in my personal life I am always on the lookout for incredible displays, category progress and updates, new products and packaging and more."
Sr. Finance Manager, Forecasting & Business Analysis – Specialty/NPC/VMS
The Clorox Company of Canada, Ltd
"The best advice I’ve ever received is this: “The mature mind does not rail at the inevitable, it merely adjusts itself.” Change is inevitable, and we can embrace the change and adapt. This has served me well and I constantly challenge the status quo, looking for improvements, cost savings and reimagining new ways of working."
Merchandising Director – Grocery
Super C/Metro
Transformation Manager
PepsiCo
"I’ve always considered myself to be creative—I’m intrigued by why things work the way they do and how I can make them better regardless of existing conventions. What I love most about my job is the creativity needed to resolve customer issues and the fact that I get to leverage technology to design customer experiences that are impactful, consistent and considerate."
Category Manager
Summerhill Market
Director, HR – Store Operations
Longo's
National Sales Director
Coca-Cola Limited Canada
"I believe we can achieve anything we want with hard work, passion, and being purposeful in our choices. Women tend to wait to be fully ready before raising their hands, sharing opinions, or expressing the desire for a promotion. A turning point earlier in my career was when I realized how hard I was on myself, and how that was slowing my ability to explore my full potential. I learned to better trust myself and accept that it’s OK to make mistakes, as long as you learn from it!"
Senior Director, Human Resources, International and U.S. Food Service
Conagra Brands Inc.
"I have been blessed with great mentors who have shaped who I am as a leader. One key mentor pushed me to always be my authentic self, and to leverage my strengths. She told me that “opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” I have tried to live by this advice by continually looking for ways to make an impact on others."
Store-Level Stars
Store Manager, College and Bay, Toronto
Farm Boy
"My first job at 15 was at A&P as a courtesy clerk pushing carts and helping bag groceries. I always dreamed of having my photo at the front of the store. I strayed to the world of clothing for a while, but was swayed back with Farm Boy’s delicious ways and great opportunities to grow."
Store Manager, Metro, Bowmanville, Ont.
Metro
"I love coming in to work each day and hearing people’s stories from all stages of life, and watching people that are growing personally and professionally. The fast-paced environment with this position and not knowing what each day may bring helps keep me motivated and challenged."
Store Manager, Lindenridge Safeway, Winnipeg
Sobeys
"I enjoy motivating people and encouraging them to see their full potential. A big part of my job is to be a mentor to those looking to advance their career within the company. I have had so many great mentors who have helped me along the way and I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish my goals without their support. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward."
Store Manager, Save-On-Foods Cottonwood, Chilliwack, B.C.
Save-On-Foods
"To put it simply, my favourite part of my job is helping people—whether it’s customers, team members or vendors. I love having the ability to create a solution to a problem, and having a platform to always improve."
Store Manager, Sobeys Howley Estates, St John’s
Sobeys
"The best part of my job is when I get to spend my time on the sales floor interacting with both customers and employees. I enjoy getting to know my people and focus on their strengths to help them learn and grow and to better serve our customers. I love it when I hear the sound of laughter and positivity in people’s voice. Having fun in the workday is good for the mind and soul."
General Manager
Pemberton Valley Supermarket Ltd.
"I am proud of the team we have built at the store. The grocery industry is busy, and a good working team is imperative to the success of moving forward with projects, and to the overall advancement of the store. The owners of the store truly believe in building trust with their employees and blending the complementary strengths of team members."
Store Manager, Save-On-Foods Jagare, Edmonton
Save-On-Foods
"The biggest challenge I have faced in my career has been opening a new store in the middle of a global pandemic. My team and I have had to think creatively to draw attention to our store, as many community outreach activities have been restricted and traditional in-store excitement, such as demos, have been put on hold. I am so proud of the resilience of my team."
Store Manager, Food Basics, Simcoe, Ont.
Metro
"Being able to bond with my customers while providing the best shopping experience in my store is one of my favourite parts of my job. Another is overcoming the day-to-day challenges with people I can rely on and who make everything I do worthwhile. I know I have people in my corner that I can count on, like my specialists, district manager and wonderful staff. They make working together enjoyable and efficient."
Sarah Romano
Assistant Store Manager, Longo’s Liberty Village, Toronto
Longo’s
"My favourite part of the job is the people part. I enjoy working with my team and helping mentor and coach them—I love to watch them advance their careers. It made all the difference when somebody believed in me and if I can pass that on and make others enjoy coming to work every day, I feel like I have truly succeeded."